Cast
View All
Paola Cortellesi
as Paola
Stefano Fresi
as Giovanni Rovasio / Mr. Johnny
Fausto Maria Sciarappa
as Giacomo
Giovanni Calcagno
as Igor
Clòe Romagnoli
as Sveva
Diego Delpiano
as Ivan
Giuseppe Lo Piccolo
as Smilzo
Luca Avagliano
as Gino
Francesco Mura
as Riccardo
Odette Adado
as Emilia
Jasper Gonzales Cabal
as Giuseppe
Robert Ganea
as Leo
Crew
Director
- Michele Soavi
Producer
- Andrea Occhipinti
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
The Legend of the Christmas Witch represents a fascinating example of Family/Comedy/Fantasy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Michele Soavi brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Legend of the Christmas Witch took approximately 36 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $8.8 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 98 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 145 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1271 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The musical score contains over 36 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Legend of the Christmas Witch shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike A Matter of Principle, which focuses more on action than character development, The Legend of the Christmas Witch offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Dinotopia and TOKYO03 FROLIC A HOLIC feat. Creepy Nuts in Budokan explore similar territory, The Legend of the Christmas Witch stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 27, 2018
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Budget: $8,772,289
- Revenue: $8,769,486
Where to Watch
